On a beautiful autumn afternoon, Virginia soundly outscored William & Mary by 35 points heading into halftime. In what was a landmark performance from the Cavaliers (2-1, 0-0 ACC) rushing game, a superhuman performance in the first half led the way to a 55-16 triumph over the Tribe (1-2, 1-0 CAA).
This year’s matchup with William & Mary was on U.Va Strong Day, the third annual remembrance of the lives of Devin Chandler, D’Sean Perry and Lavel Davis Jr, who tragically passed away as a result of gun violence.
To begin his postgame press conference, Coach Tony Elliott noted a bittersweet piece of trivia.
“I was made aware that the last time we scored 55 was the game that Lavel and D’Sean actually scored touchdowns in,” Elliott said.
Although the makeup of the roster has changed significantly since then, many former teammates and friends of those men remain with the program, including graduate assistant and Brian Piccolo Award winner Mike Hollins, who was wounded in the same tragedy.
On U.Va. Strong Day, the Cavaliers put on one of their finest performances in the history of the program, breaking multiple records. The 700 total yards gained by the offense broke the record for the most in the history of the program. The offensive line was stellar, as they have yet to allow any sacks on the season.
After a disappointing loss last week that was characterized by effortless offense and hapless defense, Saturday’s contest was much closer to the season opener against Coastal Carolina. The Cavaliers dominated, reversing much of their shortcomings from the previous week.
Aside from a monster 79-yard touchdown on busted coverage, the Tribe failed to muster anything offensively with their starters. Likewise, their defense was helpless against the Cavaliers’ rushing game. Graduate quarterback Chandler Morris and the starters were resting on the sidelines by the last drive of the second quarter.
Eleven different players ran the ball for Virginia on Saturday, and four of them reached the endzone before halftime. Two rushed for over 100 yards.
Graduate running back J’Mari Taylor gave his weekly contribution to the box score on a direct snap goalline dive, extending his streak to 14 straight games with a rushing touchdown. Taylor entered the contest second in the nation in rushing touchdowns. Senior running back Xavier Brown added another, his first of the season. Both Taylor and Brown were effectively taken out of the game after the first few drives, finishing with six carries for 31 yards and seven carries for 38 yards, respectively.
After the two primary backs were phased out, junior running back Noah Vaughn took over, ripping off eight carries for 101 yards, highlighted by a 54-yard rumble. Unfortunately, after getting stopped near the goal line in the second quarter, Vaughn had to be helped to the locker room to be evaluated for a leg injury and remained on the sideline in crutches for the rest of the game.
Once Vaughn went down, the baton was passed to graduate running back Harrison Waylee, who had the most impressive performance of the day. Waylee — the active NCAA career rushing leader — got Virginia on the board not once, not twice, but three times, with the final score being a 97-yard sideline breakaway, the longest run in program history. He finished with an incredibly efficient 10 carries for 151 yards.
The rout allowed for variety in personnel as starters were rested, and three players in particular took advantage of the increased opportunity. Sophomore receiver Kam Courtney struck early with the Cavaliers’ first score and the first of his career on a 23-yard run. Later in the game, he was one of sophomore quarterback Daniel Kaelin’s favorites targets, finishing with four receptions for 67 yards with a 38-yard near-touchdown kick return to boot.
“Hopefully this boosts his confidence, because we’re going to need him,” Elliott said, “He’s a really, really good football player.”
Sophomore tight end John Rogers emerged early as a valuable middle-of-the-field target for Morris, totalling three receptions for 30 yards and his first career touchdown. Junior receiver Suderian Harrison turned a reverse into a 56-yard gain to set-up a touchdown in the second quarter.
On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore defensive end Billy Koudelka, whom this coaching staff is extremely high on, recorded the team's first solo sack of the season.
Virginia has seemingly recovered any momentum it may have lost in the defeat at NC State, which is particularly crucial as it heads into conference play and with a Friday night showdown with No. 10 Florida State on the horizon Sept. 26.
Next Saturday, Virginia will face off against ACC opponent Stanford at home. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm and the game will be broadcast on ACC Network.
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